Perforating machine



Jan. 22, 1946. c. J. RUSSNAK 2,393,416

PERFORATING MACHINE Filed March 1, 1944 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG. I CLARENCE J. RUSSNAK BY i D l ATToR EY INVENTOR Jan. 22, 1946.

c. J. RUSSNAK 2,393,416

PERFORATING MACHINE Filed March 1, 1944 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 m I g n I m 92 I n "NI B a 53 N N l' 5 N 5 a 9b g m fin t N n 8 w L l l g INVENTOR CLARENCE J. RUSSNAK ATT RNEY 1946- c. J. RUSSNAK PERFORATING MACHINE 1944 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed March 1 INVENTOR CLARENCE J. RUSS NAK ATTORNEY Patented Jan. 22, 1946 Teletype Corporation,

tion of Delaware chieagmlll aoorpora- Application March 1, 1944. Serial No. 524,003

Claims. (01. 164-113) The t invention to perforating machines more particularly to perforating machines for tapes.

Inthe use of certain types of perforating machines for preparing tape with code combinations perforated therein, it has been found that improper operation of the keyboard, such as releasing the key too quickly, results in an incorrect code being perforated in the tape. This is especially true of Wheatstone perforators, be cause in this type of perforating machine the operation of a key selects certain punch interponents, the upper ends of. which are later moved by a punch hammer to cause the -individual punches to perforate the tape. vIn the case of improper key operation it has been found that the selected punch interponents do not remain in their selected positions for a time sufiicient for the punch hammer to move against them and cause actuation of the individual punches, but instead return to their normal position before the punch hammer is so operated. Such an cecurrence results in improper, incorrect. orbiank code combinations appearing in the tape, and inasmuch as the tape is later used to transmit the code messages over a printing telegraph system, it is clear that such errors result in com-- munication errors.

The primary object of the present invention is to establish the selective setting of the punch preparation. of signal control "scribe the wheatstone perforator and its operation, inasmuch as it has been chosen as the apparatus on which the present invention will be disclosed. However, it is to be understood that the use of the apparatus embodyin the invention is not limited merely to use with a Wheatstone perforator, but may be used with any other tape perforator having a similar difiiculty to be overcome.

For a complete description of. the Wheatstone P rforator attention is directed to U. 8. Patent interponents in a perforating device pending the completion of the perforating function.

Another object of the invention is to provide 1 means to prevent the pimch interponents from returning from their selected to normal positions before the punch hammer can be operated to an extent necessary to insure movement of the punch interponents against the punches.

The invention comprises a plurality of latches one individual to-each of the standard T-levers of a Wheatstone perforator, the latches acting to look a selected 'r-lever in its downward or selected position. A common'bail is provided which is connected through a linkage system to a bell crank lever operating-from the punch head operating solenoid. The punch interponents are held, through the latches, in their selected position during a major portion of the punch hammer stroke and are then released through the action of the ball during the latter part of the stroke of the punch hammer.

A more detailed understanding of the inven- I tion may be had from the following description lected by a code bar It. In this way there will No. 1,085,985, issued to E. E. Kleinschmidt on February 3, 1914, or to "Teletype? Bulletin No. 125, issued in August, 1937, by the Teletype Cor; poration, Chicago, Illinois.

Referring term. 2. the apparatus comprises a bank of key levers I l, the keys of which are provided with the characters of a universal keyboard. The key levers II are all fulcrumed about a transverse bar Is, at their inner ends. Arranged longitudinally of and beneath each of the key levers ii are a plurality of code bars l3, each secured to an individual key lever Ii by means of a connecting link It. The code bars I: extend rearwardly in the apparatus and are all fulcrumed near their inner end about a transverse bar It. The individual notched code bars I! each have a spring ll at their inner extremity, which normall tends to pivot the code bar It about the fulcrum IS in a counterclockwisedirection, as viewed in Fig. 2.

Arranged beneathv the lower surface of the notched code bars ll are a plurality-of twenty transversely extending T-levers II, as may be more clearly seen in Fig. 4. The T-levers II are supported by parallel links I! pivoted to the downwardly extending legs of the T-levers It, the parallel links I! being pivoted on a bracket 2! secured to the frame of the machine. The parallel connecting linkage has been provided so that the T-levers It will always move in a vertical direction despite which T-lever It is sethe machine.

A plurality of rear-wardly extending levers 22,

which are also fulcrumed about the point I! and which are normally biased in a counterclockwise direction by means of individual springs 23, connect nineteen of the twenty T-levers II to a connecting link 24. The'connecting link 24 forms the lower extremity of the punch interponents, which comprise the link 24, an adjustable connecting rod 28 immediately above, and the'punch interponent member 21. It is to be noted that reference above was made to only nineteen of the twenty T-levers being connected through the rearwardly extending levers 22 to the punch interponents 21. The twentieth of the T-levers I8 is connected by means of a rearwardly extending lever, such as 22, to control an electrical contact 28 which is utilized for a purpose to be described later. The real-wardly extending lever 22 which controls the electrical contact 28 is connected to a universal T-lever it which is caused to be selected upon the depression of each of the key levers ll. In operation, the depression of a key lever ll causes its associated code bar l3 to be pivoted in a clockwise direction, Fig. 2, about the point It, which in turn depresses certain of the T-levers l3 depending on the specific configuration of the underside of the code bar l3. The depression of the selected T-levers It results in the rearwardly extending levers 22 being fulcrumed about the point it, against the tension of their associated springs 23, resulting in the links, adjustable rods, and punch interponents 21 being raised upwardly, as viewed in Fig. 2. The upward movement of the interponents 21 places them in their selected position, at which point their upper extremity lies adjacent to a plurality of punches 28, one of which is individual to each of the punch interponents 21. key lever H, the code bar 13 and key lever tend to move in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 2, under the tension of the individually associated springs l1. The T-levers I! which have been selected also tend to move to their normal or upward position under the tension of the individual springs 23 which impart a counterclockwise movement to the rearwardly extending levers 22 which connect directly to the T-levers I8. This, of course, would result in the downward movement of the punch interponents 21 to their normal positions. The downward movement of the code bars l3 and key levers II is limited by means of a stop 3|, whereas the upward movement of the key levers II is likewise limited by means of a transverse leather member 32 which is secured within the frame of the machine and overlies all of the key levers II toward their front extremity.

Referring to Fig. 2, it might be noted that the punch interponents 21 are formed in two separate rows, on of which comprises ten interponents while the second comprises nine. In a like manner, the punches 23 are divided into two tiers, the upper of which comprises ten punches, one individual to each of the ten interponents 21 in the one row, whereas the lower tier of nine punches is individual to the row of nine interponents. The two rows of punches 28 are separated by a row of punches 33 which operate to perforate a central line of perforations in the tap which are utilized to feed the tape. The

individual punches 22 are formed with shcuiders 34 separated by a central reduced section 34.

Referring to Fig. 1, apunch head or hammer 31 is reciprocably mounted within the guides II. and is normally urged to a rearward position by means of the spring 3!. As disclosed in Fig. 2, upon the forward movement of the punch hammer 31 the punch interponents 21 will be engaged by its forward edge, causing them to abut against their individual punches 23, resulting in the punches being forced through the tape which normally passes through the tape guide or open ing 4i provided therefor. A comb 42 is connected to the operating punch head 31 and moves therewith. Said comb has slots therein through which pass the reduced section 38 of the punches 23.

After the punches have been operated to perfo- Upon the release of the rate the tape, and when the punch hammer 31 starts its return movement, the comb 42 will engage the front surface of the rear shoulders 34 of the punches 29, thereby insuring that the punches will be positively removed from their perforations in the tape. A chad chute 43 has been provided to remove the tape pimchings away from the perforating mechanism.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, an operating lever 44 is provided which is pivoted at 43 and is normally urged in a counterclockwise direction by means of the-spring 41. One end of the operating lever 44 has a pin 48 extending therefrom by means of which the operating lever 44 is connected to a bell crank 48. The bell crank 4! is pivoted at a. point beneath the pin 48 and has its opposite end connected to an armature 5| which is under the control of a solenoid 62 (Fig. 3).

The operating lever 44 has a lug 53 extending vertically therefrom through which is positioned a set screw I4 which is adjacent to and aligned with the rear surface of the punch hammer 31.

In operation, upon the solenoid 52 becoming energized due to the closing of the electrical contact 28 by means of the universal T-lever l8, a circult is established for the energization of the solenoid, and the armature II will be drawn within the solenoid. The downward movement of the armature Bl causes the bell crank 49 to pivot, resulting in the operating lever 44 being moved in a clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 1, against the tension of its spring 41. Such a movement to the operating lever 44 results in the set screw 54, which is associated with the lug 53 of the operating lever, engaging the punch hammer 31 and causing the punch hammer 31 to be moved forwardly against the tension of its spring 38. The movement of the punch hammer 31, under the force of the operating lever 44, results in the punch interponents 21 being moved toward the right, as viewed in Fig. 2, and impin ing upon their associated punches 29 resulting in the tape being perforated. It is to be remembered, however, that only those interponents 21 which have been selected and have been moved upwardly will actuate their individual punches 20. The other interponents 21 which have notbeen selected and moved upwardly will be moved forwardly by means of the punch hammer 31 but, inasmuch as they have not been raised to a point opposite their individual punches 29, will not operate the punches to perforate the tape. Special means are provided to insure the operation at the punches 33 which perforate the tape feed oles.

Inasmuch as the key levers H are held depressed only momentarily. the associated code levers l3, T-levers l8. and rearwardly extending ascaue wise direction, as viewed in Fig. 2, by its indi-- vidual spring, resulting in the electrical contact 28 being opened. As such an opening of the contact will result in-thebreaking of the elec- 81isformedofatransversebail88,asmaybe better seen in Fig. 1. The bail 88 extends'for some distance and has its opposite extremity also pivoted tothe rod 88 Referring to Fig.1, a bell crank H is pivoted V on a rod 12 and is normally urged in a clockwise direction by means of a spring 12. The. apparatus is providedwith nineteen of the individual bell crank lever? 11, one individual to each of the T-levers l8. The springs 1-8, which are individual to each of the bell cranks 1|, are connected trical circuit for the solenoid 82, the solenoid will become de-energlzed and release its armature 8| to move upwardly, as viewed in Fig. 3. Any such upward movement of the armature results in a pivoting of the bell crank 48 and a resultant counterclockwise movement to the operating lever 44 both under positive movement of the pin 48 and the contraction of the spring 41. Such a movement of the operating lever 44 will allow the punch hammer 81 to move rearwardly under the force of its associated spring 88, resulting in the punches being removed from the perforations in the tape through the action of the comb 42. The perforating machine is now in condition for the depression of a subsequent key lever ll to set up a new code combination for perforatin the tape.

It is to be remembered that the depression of the key lever ll not only caused the interponents 21 to be moved to a selected position, but also caused the energization of the solenoid 52 and the resultant operation of the punch hammer 81 through the mechanical linkage system. In the event that the operator removes his or her finger from the key of the key lever ll too quickly there is a tendency for the punch interponents 21 to be moved to their upward position and then drop back to the normal position before the punch hammer 31 is caused to be moved inwardly, as viewed in Fig. l, to move the punch interponents 21 against the individual punches 28. If this. occurs, an incorrect code combination will be perforated in the tape. In order to overcome this disadvantage the present device embodying the invention has been designed, to assure that the punch interponents 21 will remain in their selected position for a length of time suillcient to allow them to be engaged by the forward surface of the punch hammer 31.

to a rod 14 which is secured to the frame of the machine. The upper ends of the bell cranks 1| are formed with a his or hook 18 extending rightwardly therefrom. as may be observed in Fig. 4. Each of these hooks are adjacent the leftward end of the associated T-lever l8.

Upon any of the T.-levers 18 being selected, and thus being depressed as a result thereof, an associated bell crank 1| will be pivoted about rod 12 in a clockwise direction by means of its individual spring 18, its hooked end 18 thereby moving over the leftward extremity of the T-lever l8 and preventing its immediate return upward. Thus, the T-lever l8 will be held in its selected or detheir depressed positions results in their connected rearwardly extending levers 22 being held in their extreme clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 2, which results in the interponents 21 being maintained in their upward position ad- ,iacent the individual punches 28. Thus, the interponents 21 will be held in their selected position for a length of time equal to the time that the T-levers 18 are locked in their depressed positions.

At the same time that the -T-levers 18 were depressed and the bell crank 1| was rotated in a clockwise manner, as viewed in Fig. 4, to lock the T-levers in their selected position, a universal T lever I8 caused the-electrical contact 28 to close, thus establishing an electrical circuit for the energizatlon of the solenoid 52. As previously mentioned, upon the energization of solenoid 52,

the operating lever 44 is pivoted in a clockwise Referring to Figs. 2 and 3, it may be seen that a rod 58 is connected to the bell crank lever 48 which rod has its opposite end connected to a downwardly extending link 51 (Figs. 2 and 3).

I lower extremity of the depending arm of the bell crank lever 58. as viewed in Fig. 2, is connected to a forwardly extending link 82 which has a twist therein to cause the lever to change its form through 90 degrees. The forward extremity of the link 82 is pivoted to a bell crank 83 which is disclosed more fully in Fig. 1 in dotted lines. The bell crank 83 is pivoted at 84 to a pin extending from the frame and has its opposite extremity pivotally secured to a link-88. The link 68 is also formed of such a configuration that it is twisted through 90 degrees, and is connected at its leftward end, as viewed in Fig. 4, with a bell crank 81 which is pivoted to a transversely extending rod 88. The opposite end of the bell crank lever direction, as viewed in Fig. 1, resulting in the punch hammer 81 being moved forwardly to engage the selected interponents 21. At the same time that the operating lever 44 is pivoted by the bell crank 48 the'bell crank likewise imparts movement to the rod 56; Movement of the rod 58 is imparted to the link 51, resulting in the link 51 moving downwardly, as viewed in Fig. 2. Inasmuch as the lower extremity of link 51 has a slot 11 therein, no motion will be imparted to the bell crank lever 58 until such time as the lever 51 has been moved a. distance equal to the lengtl. of the slot. The slot 11 has been so positioned in respect to the link 51 and bell crank 58 as to insure that the operating lever 44 will cause its upwardly extending lug 53 and set screw 54 to engage the punch hammer 31 to cause the latter to engage the punch interponents before such time as the link 51 imparts motion to the bell crank 58. Inasmuch as the bell crank 58 is pivoted at 59, a counterclockwise motion will be imparted thereto, as viewed in Fig. 2 resulting in the link 82 being moved rightwardly (Fig. 2). Referring now to Fig. 1, clockwise motion will be imparted from link 82 to bell crank 83 about pivot 84 resulting in link 68 being moved toward the left. As link 88 moves toward the left, as viewed in Fig. 1, or toward the right as viewed in Fig. 4, bell crank 81 will be pivoted in a counterclockwise direction (Fig. 4) about rod 68 resulting in a. counterclockwise movement to the ball 09. Ball to then engages the bell cranks H which had moved into locking position, thereby moving them in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. afthus releasing the hooks it from the if-levers it. The if-levers it therefore are now free to resume their normal or upward positions. Inasmuch as a certain timing has been provided by means of slot il in lever a? and the use of set screws it has been assured that the T-levers will not be released until the interponents 2'? have been positively engaged by the punch head 37.

Fig. I shows other details in the operating mechanism of a Whcatstone perforator, principally a device for effecting the variable feed of the tape. However, inasmuch as this device is not a part of the invention nor is its operation necessary in order to understand the operation of the invention, its description is not deemed necessary. However, in the event that the operation and details of the variable tape feed device are of interest, a complete understanding may be gained by referring to the above-mentioned Kleinschmidt patent or "Teletype" Bulletin No. 125.

Although a specific embodiment of the invention has been shown and described, it will be understood that this embodiment is but illustrative and that various modifications may be made scope and a punch hammer for moving said conditioned interponents to cause said punches to perforate a tape, and latch means individually associated with each of said T-levers for locking said T- levers in their selected positions whereby said interponents are held in their said selected positions after said key lever means are released.

2. In a keyboard perforator, a plurality of punches, a plurality of interponents, one individual to each of said punches, a, plurality of T-levers, one individual to each of said interponents, connecting levers between said interponents and said T-levers, key lever means for selectively conditioning said interponents through said T-levers and said connecting levers, a punch hammer for moving said conditioned in-, terponents to cause said punches to perforate a tape, latch means individually associated with each of said T-levers for locking said T-levers in their selected positions whereby said interponents are held in their said selected positions after said key lever means are released, and release means for restoring said latch means whereby said T-levers are released to move from their selected positions.

3. In a keyboard pcrforator, a plurality of punches, a plurality of interponents, one individual to each of said punches, a plurality of T-levers, one individual to each of said interponents, connecting levers between said interponents and said T-levers, key lever means for selectively conditioning said interponents through said T-levers and said connecting levers, a punch hammer for moving said conditioned interpo nents to cause said punches to perforate a tape, latch means individually associated with each oi said T-levers for locking said T-levers in their selected positions whereby said interponents are held in their selected positions after said hey lever means are released, and release means common to-said individual latch means ior restoring said latch means whereby said T-levers are released to move from their selected posh tlons.

4. In a keyboard perforator, a plurality oi punches, a plurality of interponents, one indi vidual to each of said punches, a plurality oi i=- levers,one individual to each of said interponents, connecting levers between said interns nents and said T-le'vers, key lever means for selectively conditioning said interponents through said T-levers and said connecting levers, means for moving said conditioned interponents to cause said punches to perforate a tape, latch nzeans individually associated with each of said T4 vers for locking said key levers in their selected posi-- tions whereby said interponents are held in their said selected positions, and means under the control of said interponent moving means to restore said latch means whereby said T -levers are released to move from their selected positions.

5. In a perforating machine, a, key actuated selector, a plurality of punches, a plurality of punch interponents, one individual to each of said punches, means under the control of said selector for selectively conditioning said punch interponents, means for moving said punch interponents to cause said punches to perforate a tape, and latch means for locking said selected interponent conditioning means only whereby said punch interponents are held in their said selected.

positions after said selector is released.

6. In a perforating machine, a key actuated selector, a plurality of punches, a plurality of punch interponents one individual to each of said punches, means under the control of said selector for selectively conditioning said punch interp'onents, means for moving said punch interponents to cause said punches to perforate a tape, latch means for locking said selected interponent conditioning means only whereby said punch interponents are held in their said selected position after said selector is released, and release means for restoring said latch means whereby said interponent conditioning means are released.

'7. In a perforating machine, a key actuated selector, a plurality of punches, a plurality of punch interponents, one individual to each of said punches, means under the control of said selector for selectively conditioning said punch interponents, means for moving said punch interponents to cause said punches to perforate a tape, latch means for locking said interponent conditioning means whereby said punch interponents are held in their said selected positions after said selector is released, and release means directly under the control of said punch interponent moving means for restoring said latch means whereby said interponent conditioning means are released.

8. In a perforating machine, a key actuated selector, a plurality of punches, a plurality of punch interponents, one individual to each of said punches, means under the control of said selector for selectively conditioning said punch interponents, means for moving said punch interponents to cause said punches to perforate a tape, latch means for locking said interponcnt conditioning means whereby said punch interponents are held in their said selected positions after said selector is released, and release means directly under the control of and operating during the latter part of th cycle of operation of said punch interponent moving means for rostoring said latch means whereby saidinterponent conditioning means are released.

9. In a perforating machine, a key actuated vidual latch means for restoring said latchmeans whereby said interponent conditioning means are released.

10. In a keyboard perforator, a plurality of punches, a plurality of interponents, one individual to each of said punches, key lever means for selectively conditioning said interponents, a punch hammer for moving said conditioned interponents to cause said punches to perforate a tape, and latch means associated with each of said interponents for maintaining said interponents in their selected positions only after said key lever means are released.

11. In a perforating machine, a key actuated selector, a pluralit of punches, a plurality of punch interponents, one individual to each of said punches, said interponents selectively conditioned by said selector, a return spring for each of said interponents, means for moving said conditioned punch interponents to cause said punches to perforate a tape, means to block said interponents in their conditioned position, and means under control of said punch interponent moving means to restore said blocking means whereby said punch interponents may be returned by their said springs to their nonconditioned positions.

12. In a keyboard perforator, a plurality oi.

punches, a. plurality of interponents, one individual to each of said punches, key lever means for selectively conditioning said interponents, means for moving said conditioned interponents to cause said punches to perforate a tape, latch means individually associated with said interponents for holding said interponents in their said selected positions after said key lever means are released, and means directly under the control of said meansior moving said interponents for releasing said interponents from their said selected positions.

13. In a keyboard perforator, a plurality of punches, a plurality of interponents, one individmil to each of said punches, key lever means for selectively conditioning said interponents, a punch hammer for moving said conditioned interponents to cause said punches to perforate a tape, latch means individually associated with said interponents for holding said interponents in their selectedv positions after said key lever means are released operating substantially simultaneously with the operation of said key lever'means, and release means for restoring said latch means whereb said interponents are free to resume their nonselected positions.

14. In a keyboard perforator, a plurality of punches, a plurality of interponents, one individual to each of said punches, key lever means for selectively conditioning said interponents, a solenoid energized upon the operation of said key lever means, a punch hammer under the control of said solenoid for moving said conditioned interponents to cause said punches to perforate a tape upon the energization of said solenoid, latch means individually associated with said interponents for holding said interponents in their selected positions after said key lever means are released, and means directly under the control of said solenoid for releasing said latch means whereby said interponents are released from their said selected positions,

15. In a keyboard perforator, a plurality of punches, a plurality of interponents, one individual to each of said punches, key lever means for selectively conditioning said interponents, a solenoid energized upon the operation of said key lever means, a punch hammer under the control of said solenoid for moving said conditioned interponents to cause said punches to perforate a tape upon the energization of said solenoid, latch means individually associated with said interponents for holding said interponents in their selected positions after said key lever means are released, and a release bail common to said individual latch means and directly under the control of said solenoid for releasing said latch means whereby said interponents are released from their said selected positions.

16. In a keyboard perforator, a plurality of punches, a plurality of interponents, one individual to each of said punches, ke lever means for selectively conditioning said interponents, a

solenoid energized upon the operation of said key lever means, a punch hammer under the control of said solenoid for moving'said conditioned interponents to cause said punches to perforate a tape upon the energization of said solenoid, latch means individually associated with said interponents for holding said interponents in their selected positions after said key lever means are released, a release bail common to said latch means for releasing said latch means, and a linkage system extending between said release bailand said solenoid and directly under the control of said solenoid for operating said release bail whereby said interponents are released from their said selected positions.

CLARENCE J. RUSBNAK. 

